Roller pan holder for ladders



Feb. 11.7, 1970 p. c. BRODEN ROLLER PAN HOLDER FOR LADDERS Filed Dec. 26, 1968 Orville 62 Braden INVENTOR.

United States Patent 3,495,683 ROLLER PAN HOLDER FOR LADDERS Orville C. Braden, 931 Linwood, Hot Springs, Ark. 71901 Filed Dec. 26, 1968, Ser. No. 787,095 Int. Cl. E06c 7/16 US. Cl. 182-116 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A tray-like support including opposite edge portions and a third edge portion extending between corresponding ends of its opposite edge portions. A shaft member is carried by the tray and projects outwardly from the third edge portion thereof adjacent one of the opposite edge portions for reception in one end of a tubular ladder rung. The other of the opposite edge portions of the tray has one end of a tension member secured thereto and one end of a shaft or peg is secured to the other end of the tension member. The other end of the shaft or peg may be inserted in the end of a tubular ladder rung above the ladder rung in which the shaft portion projecting outwardly from the tray is inserted with the length of the tension member being adjusted so as to support the tray in a horizontal position even though the ladder of Which the tubular rungs comprise parts is inclined against a wall or building.

The roller pan holder of the instant invention has been designed primarily for the purpose of supporting a pan in which paint to be applied to a paint roller may be placed. However, the roller pan holder may be constructed so as to provide a suitable support shelf or any other type of support needed at the elevated end portion of an inclined ladder.

In its most simplified form the holder or support of the instant invention includes an elongated panel from one side of which projects a support shaft adjacent one end of the panel for insertion into a lower tubular rung of a ladder. The other end of the panel has one end of any suitable tension member secured thereto and the other end of the tension member has a second shaft or peg secured thereto for insertion into the corresponding end of an upper tubular rung of the same ladder with the length of the tension member being such that the panel is supported in a horizontal position while the ladder is inclined as desired.

The main object of this invention is to provide a suitable support for attachment to the upper end of an extension ladder inclined against a suitable support.

Another object of this invention is to provide a suitable support which may be supported from an extension ladder in a manner so as to be adjustable for defining a horizontal support surface in different angular positioning of the associated ladder.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a support in accordance with the preceding objects from which a paint pan for applying paint to a paint roller may be stationarily supported.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein is to provide a support in accordance with the preceding objects which will conform to con ventional forms of manufacture, be of simple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that will be economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter 3,495,683 Patented Feb. 17, 1970 described and claimed, reference being had to the ac companying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the upper portion of a conventional form of metal extension ladder with the support of the instant invention operatively associated with the ladder;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the assemblage illustrated in FIGURE 1 as seen from the right side thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the support of the instant invention with the supporting panel portion thereof illustrated in inverted position; and

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner in which one end of the tension member portion of the support is secured to the support tray portion of the support.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generally designates a conventional form of extension ladder of the metallic type and including tubular rungs 12 spaced along and extending between the side rails 14 of the ladder 10.

The support of the instant invention is referred to in general by the reference numeral 16 and includes a support tray portion referred to in general by the reference numeral 18. The tray portion 18' comprises a panel 20 of any suitable material such as plastic or metal bent to form a top 22, downturned longitudinal flanges 24 and downturned opposite end flanges 26 and 28. The ends of the longitudinal flanges 24 adjacent the end flange 26 extend beyond the latter and are bent inwardly toward each other and over the outer surface of the end flange 26. A pair of rivets 30 are utilized to secure the int-urned end portions of the longitudinal flanges 24 over the outer surface of the end flange 26. The downturned flange 28 terminates downwardly in a backturned flange portion 32 which underlies and generally parallels the top 22.

One of the flanges 24 has a partial circular opening 34 formed therethrough adjacent the free edge of the backturned flange 32 and one end portion of a shaft or rod 36 is secured within the confines of the longitudinal flanges 24 by means of a pair of fasteners 38 secured through the shaft or rod 36 and the top 22. The other end of the shaft or rod 36 projects outwardly through the opening 34.

'One end of an elongated flexible tension member 40 is anchored to one of the fasteners or rivets '30 and the other end of the tension member 40* is secured about one end portion of a second shaft or rod 42 in a manner such that any desired portion of the tension member 40 may be wrapped about or wound upon the shaft 42. Any suitable fastener 44 may be utilized to secure the tension member to the rod or shaft 42.

The support 16 may be supported from the ladder 10 by first inserting the extended end Of the rod or shaft 36 into the open end of one of the rungs 12. Then, after the tension member 40 has been adjusted to the desired length, the free end of the shaft or rod 42 may be inserted in the open end of a ladder rung 12 above the ladder rung 12 in which the extended end of the shaft or rod 36 is received. Of course, the effective length of the tension member 40 is adjusted so as to maintain the top 22 in a substantially horizontal position even though the ladder 10 is leaning against a support such as support wall 46.

A roller pan is referred to in general by the reference numeral 48 and is of conventional design and adapted to have paint disposed therein for the purpose of applying the paint to a paint roller. One end of the roller pan 48 3 includes a depending foot or leg 50 which defines a horizontally opening channel 52. The roller pan 48 may be disposed on the top 22 with the marginal edge of the support tray portion 18 remote from the tension member 40 snugly received within the channel 52. In this manner, the pan 48 need not be held with one hand while a painter rolls a paint roller in the pan 48 to apply paint thereto.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A support for mounting on a ladder of the type including at least two tubular rungs with corresponding ends opening endwise outwardly through one side rail of the ladder, said support including a support member defining a longitudinal dimension, a supp rt rod projecting outwardly from one side of said support member at one end portion thereof, a tension member having one end secured to the other end portion of said support member, the other end of said tension member having a second support rod secured thereto, the outer end of the first mentioned rod and one end portion of the second mentioned rod being adapted to be inserted within said corresponding ends.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of the end portions of said tension member is secured to the corresponding support rod by means enabling the eifective length of said tension member to be adjusted.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said tension member is flexible.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support member defines an inverted tray-like member including depending peripheral flange portions, the flange portion extending from said one side of said support member including an opening therethrough through which the first mentioned support rod projects.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said one end of said tension member is secured to said other end portion of said support member adjacent said one side of said support member.

6. The combination of claim 1 wherein at least one of the end portions of said tension member is secured to the corresponding support rod by means enabling the effective length of said tension member to be adjusted, said tension member being flexible.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said one end of said tension member is secured to said other end portion of said support member adjacent said one side of said support member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS U.S. Cl. X.R. 

